Andreas Grigoropoulos

Fifteen year-old Andreas Grigoropoulos was shot on December 6, 2008 in Greece. Suspects and policemen Epaminondas Korkoneas and Vassilis Saraliotis were immediately suspended from duty. According to their police report, the policemen were surrounded by a crowd of demonstrators, they felt threatened, and one of them fired three warning shots. Other witnesses contend that one of the officers shot into the crowd with the intention to harm someone.

The death of Grigoropoulos spurred Greek youth to riot all over the country that night and the next morning. Riot locations included Athens and Salonika. A group of almost 5,000 citizens gathered in protest near the location of Grigoropoulos' death. AFP: Riots Tear Across Greece (December 7, 2008)

"In these difficult moments please accept my condolences for the unfair loss of your son."— Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis Two Policemen (December 7, 2008)

"Like all Greeks I am deeply saddened. I know that nothing can relieve your pain."—Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis Two Policemen (December 7, 2008)

"Police keep watch and try to ensure order for citizens by defending themselves ... but this type of isolated incident that led to the death of a youth is never justifiable."—Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos AFP: Angry Greeks Wreak Havoc (December 7, 2008)